Thursday, C4, 1:55am
Marielle Heller's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) is not your typical biopic. Rather than exhaustively charting the life of Fred Rogers, the film reframes the beloved children's television host through the lens of Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys), a cynical journalist whose life is unexpectedly transformed by an assignment to profile Mr. Rogers (played with uncanny warmth by Tom Hanks). With its introspective tone and poetic pacing, the film becomes a meditation on forgiveness, emotional honesty, and the quiet heroism of kindness. Heller’s directorial choices, such as the use of miniature sets to transition between scenes, pay homage to the aesthetic of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, while also reinforcing the film’s thematic emphasis on seeing the world through a childlike lens of wonder.
The film's soundtrack, scored by Nate Heller, is a tender and minimalist complement to the story. Rather than overwhelming the narrative, the score leans into simplicity, mirroring Fred Rogers’ ethos that the most profound truths are often the simplest. Heller employs delicate piano arrangements and strings to underscore moments of emotional resonance, crafting a soundscape that feels intimate and sincere. Interwoven with these original compositions are classic songs from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, including the gentle and instantly recognizable “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” These familiar melodies not only evoke nostalgia but also anchor the story in the cultural legacy of Rogers’ television program, emphasizing the continuity of his message across generations.
A standout musical moment occurs when Tom Hanks-as-Rogers performs “It’s Such a Good Feeling,” a moment that transcends performance and becomes a kind of communion with the audience. The scene, like much of the soundtrack, serves as a reminder of music's ability to soothe and connect. By choosing to forgo bombastic crescendos or overly sentimental orchestrations, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood maintains its emotional authenticity. The soundtrack, much like Fred Rogers himself, speaks softly but carries a deep and abiding sense of grace, leaving an indelible impression long after the credits roll.
- Daisy Rae